Images(2)

Pad, Knee

Object number2009.2.5 a,b

Date2006

Mediumplastic; cotton

Credit LineGift of Pam Simmons

DescriptionPair of yellow knee pads.Dimensions11 x 10 x 4 in. (27.9 x 25.4 x 10.2 cm)
MarksText printed in black on top of pad: "Harbinger".
Fabric tag on back: "HARBINGER / 1-800-729-5958 / [image of American flag] / MADE IN USA / M".
Historical NotesKnee pads worn by a member of the Steel City Derby Demons. The Steel City Derby Demons are Pittsburgh's only women's flat track roller derby league. The Demons league is comprised of four teams: "The Bitch Doctors," "The Hot Metal Hellions," "The Slumber Party Slashers," and "The Wrecking Dolls." They also have two traveling teams comprised of members of the four league teams: "The Steel Hurtin' " is the A-Team/Varsity team, and the "B-Unit" is the B-team/Junior Varsity team. The Demons compete, or "bout" with each other and other leagues; there are nearly 80 women's flat track derby teams in the continental U.S. to date. Label TextFounded in Pittsburgh in 2006 as the Steel City Derby Demons, the league became part of a national reintroduction of roller derby, a sport started in 1935. Popular on television in the 1970s, the sport all but disappeared until 2004, when the Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby Association formed. Locally, Pamela Simmons, Natalie Gilchrest, and Becky Bauer (also known as Suzy Sydal, Busty Brawler, and Elsa Slam) championed a league. That league originally included four home teams and two travel teams. Currently, the Steel City Charter has 30 players who compete against other ranked roller derby teams, including Pittsburgh’s A- Team, Steel Hurtin’, and B-Team, Steel Beamers. The League also supports a developmental C-Team, the Blitzburgh Bombers.

Previous owner Steel City Derby Demons

Related institution Steel City Derby Demons

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